Eddard

           EddardStarkrodethroughthetoweringbronzedoorsoftheRedKeepsore,tired,hungry,andirritable.Hewasstillahorse,dreamingofalonghotsoak,aroastfowl,andafeatherbed,whentheking’sstewardtoldhimthatGrandMaesterPycellehadconvenedanurgentmeetingofthesmallcouncil.ThehonoroftheHand’spresencewasrequestedassoonasitwasconvenient."Itwillbeconvenientonthemorrow,"Nedsnappedashedismounted.

           Thestewardbowedverylow."Ishallgivethecouncillorsyourregrets,mylord."

           "No,damnit,"Nedsaid.Itwouldnotdotooffendthecouncilbeforehehadevenbegun."Iwillseethem.Praygivemeafewmomentstochangeintosomethingmorepresentable."

           "Yes,mylord,"thestewardsaid."WehavegivenyouLordArryn’sformerchambersintheToweroftheHand,ifitpleaseyou.Ishallhaveyourthingstakenthere."

           "Mythanks,"Nedsaidasherippedoffhisridingglovesandtuckedthemintohisbelt.Therestofhishouseholdwascomingthroughthegatebehindhim.NedsawVayonPoole,hisownsteward,andcalledout."Itseemsthecouncilhasurgentneedofme.Seethatmydaughtersfindtheirbedchambers,andtellJorytokeepthemthere.Aryaisnottogoexploring."Poolebowed.Nedturnedbacktotheroyalsteward."Mywagonsarestillstragglingthroughthecity.Ishallneedappropriategarments."

           "Itwillbemygreatpleasure,"thestewardsaid.

           AndsoNedhadcomestridingintothecouncilchambers,bone-tiredanddressedinborrowedclothing,tofindfourmembersofthesmallcouncilwaitingforhim.